Piece of ordnance



Dec. 5, 1939. E. w. BRANDT 2,182,010

PIECE OF ORDNANCE Filed April 7, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet l Dec, 5, 1939.

E. w. BRANDT PIECE OF ORDNANCE Filed April- 7, i937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I E. W. BRANDT Dec. 5, 1939.

PIECE OF ORDNANCE Filed April 7, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 mm wm in v M O Dec. 5, 1939.

PIECE OF ORDNANGE Filed April 7, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 E. w. BRANDT 2,182,010

Dec. 5, 1939.

E. w. BRANDT PIECE OF" ORDNANCE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 J 7 g 1 1 a m Q fl w J.

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Dec. 5, 1939. E. w. BRANDT PIECE OF ORDNANCE Filed April 7, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PIECE or ORDNANCE Edgar William Brandt,

Paris, France, assignor Application April 7, 1937, Serial No. 135,571 In France April 20, 1936 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a piece of ordnance of the type comprising a mortar the breech of which, when in position for firing, rests on a platform laid on the ground, while the chase rests 5 on a gun carriage of some kind.

Pieces of this kind are already known, which comprise a yieldable or elastic connection, or

shock absorber, interposed between the forepart of .the piece and the gun carriage, its object being to relieve the latter of the recoil reaction.

The main feature of the present invention is the arrangement of the shock absorber, which is interposed between the. platform and the gun carriage.

According to a further feature of the invention, the shock absorber comprises a head which rests in a cavity or recess, provided in the platform, for accommodating the end of the breech.

The heads of the breech and the shock absorber are preferably shaped so as to form, as a whole, a substantially complete sphere, adapted to be secured in said cavity by suitable means. A rigid connecting means, such as a detachable bolt, is provided to secure the end of the breech to that of the shock absorber.

According to a still further feature of the invention, the shock absorber is articulated to the gun carriage in such a manner as to be able to pivot on an axis perpendicular to the plane of fire.

According to a further feature of the invention, the arrangement of the elevating mechanism comprises a control system acting on toothed quadrants which turn on pivots provided on the gun carriage, said quadrants being themselves articulated on a sleeve capable of sliding along the mortar, the breech of which turns in a cavity in the platform during the pointing of the piece.

Other advantages and special features of the invention will be disclosed in the following description:

In order more clearly to understand the invention, reference is made to the accompanying 45 drawings, which illustrate dagrammatically and by way of example, one embodiment thereof and inwhich:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the piece of the invention, in the firing position;

Figs. 2 and 3 are an elevation and plan, respectively, of the piece in position for transport;

Figs. 4 and 5 are a plan and side elevation, respectively, of the shock absorber;

Fig. 6 is an axial section of one of the members of the shock absorber; and

Fig. '7 is a section along 1'I of Fig. 4;

Figure 8 is a plan view of one form, of platform.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 91-9 of Figure 8, showing the breech head 5 fixed in its socket; Figures 10 and 11 are side views, with the platform shown in section along the line Ill-l0 of Figure 8, showing respectively the breech head bolted and unbolted.

In the embodiment shown, the piece comprises a barrel 1, terminating at the rear in a breech head 2 resting in a cavity orrecess 3 provided in a platform 4. The forward part of the barrel 1 rests on a gun carriage comprising a frame 15 adapted to slide longitudinally on a carriage or cradle 6 which is mounted on the axle l to which the wheels 8 are keyed. With this object, the frame 5 is provided with sliding members 9 engaging inchairs ill on the carriage.

The displacement of the axle l and carriage 6 in relation to the frame 5 is controlled by a wheel I l which acts, in known manner, on a pinion meshing with a rack integral with the carriage. Not forming part of the invention, this 25 transmission is not shown in the drawings.

Interposed between the frame 5 of the gun carriage and the platform. 4 is a shock absorberdenoted, as a unit, by l2which is articulated to the frame at IZ and which terminates at the .30 rear end in a head l3 resting in the cavity 3 of the platform.

The hinge axis IZ of the shock absorber is perpendicular to the firing plane a::c (Fig. 4)

The head I3 of the shock absorber is in the form of a double spherical cap, corresponding in diameter to that of the surfaceof the cavity 3 (Figs. 4, 5 and 7). Between the planes of these caps-parallel with the firing plane-is lodged the breech head 2, which is in the form of a segment of a sphere of the same diameter as the caps l3 and corresponding, in respect to height, to the interval separating the latter. A shaft I4 is disposed at right angles to the planes of the caps and is secured by a spring-bolt l'5.' This .45 shaft connects the heads of the breech 2 and shock absorber l3. e

The shock absorber comprises two cylinders, I6, which are connected by a crosshead l1 integral with the head l3.

The two members of the shock absorber are drawn back by springs l9 bearing, on the one hand, against the tubes 20 and, on the other, on the gun carriage by means of rollers 2| and rods 22. I f' The rollers 2i engage the frame of the gun carriage by means of a rail track 23. The spring shock absorber could be replaced by an equivalent pneumatic or oleopneumatic system.

The cradle B is mounted so as to be able to slide transversely along the training or traversing axle l, which is, controlled by a wheel 25 acting, through suitable transmission mechanism, on a pinion gearing with teeth integral with the axle. These details, which form no part of the invention, are not shown in the drawings.

The gun is elevated by means of a wheel 26 which similarly actuates pinions gearing with toothed quadrants 3i mounted on the trunnions 3% of the gun carriage, on which they pivot. The quadrants 3i pivot on axes carried by a sleeve 29 embracing the gun I, along which it is adapted to slide.

The firing mechanism may be of any kind whatsoever.

In position for transport, the gun I is lodged horizontally on the gun carriage, the frame 5 being then looked with the carriage 6 by means of a fastening 3h. The gun itself is firmly secured to the frame 5 by means of a collar 3& which is locked by a clamping device 32. The platform 1 is connected to the gun carriage by one or more bolts 33 which are mounted on the frame and which coacts with bored lugs 3301. provided on the platform-or vice Versa.

In addition, the shock absorber is bolted to the gun carriage at 35.

To make the gun ready for action, starting from the transporting position, the platform 4 is first unbolted at 33, 33a, so as to lower it into a hole previously dug. The wheels are then unbolted at 3t and moved forward by means of the wheel H and bolted at 35 (Fig. 1). The drawbar 36 is detached, the collar M opened, and the shock absorber is released at 35. I

To fire the gun, the projectile is inserted in the muzzle and is fired by means of the firing mechanism 3?.

When the shot is fired, the reaction is transmitted direct to the platform 5, which penetrates to a certain extent into the ground at the commencement of firing. The gun carriage is not immediately affected, so that the barrel 5 slides parallel to its own axis, the rearing action prejudicial to accurate firing being thus prevented. The movement of the gun carriage under the action of the springs of the shock absorber takes place a little later, after the projectile has been discharged.

By preventing the sudden movement of the gun carriage under the effect of the recoil, the shock absorber protects the pointing and elevating controls, and also the pointing mechanism mounted on the support integral with the trunnions 3la, from any reaction liable to damage them.

The whole construction is arranged in such a manner as to allow the mortar to be dismounted independently (in two pieces if desired) of the frame 5, shock absorber i2, toothed quadrant 3i, axlel, wheels 8 and platform the latter being itself adapted to be divided into several sections, in order to enable the mortar to be transported in separate portions capable of being carried on packsaddles.

The selected conformation of the head of the breech enables a rifled gun to be employed if desired, the torque imparted to the gun by the effect of the rifling grooves being then absorbed by the head of the shock absorber.

plates 53,

The gun carriage may be of any pattern -what-' soever and is not necessarily fitted with wheels.

If desired, the barrel may be provided with a movable breech, in which event it would bear against the platform by means of a rearwardly extending tailpiece.

Instead of a controlled firing mechanism. a fixed firing pin may be used.

The platform may be of any conventional type, but is preferably of the type shown in the E. W. Brandt French application, Ser. No. 398,- 970, filed April 6, 1936, and suitable locking means are provided for locking the head of the breech and the shock absorber in position. As

shown in Figure 4, this locking device includes movable bolts 50 and ifia adapted to be engaged with or disengaged from the head by control means including a lever fill. In order to more clearly describe the details of the platform and of the locking means, reference will now be had to Figures 8, 9, l0 and 11 wherein the platform includes a central plate 50, the edges M of which rest on projecting ledges 52 of a pair of outer The outer plates are circular on the inside to correspond with the central plate 59 and are polygonal on the outside. The outer plates have rim portions 55 which rest on a fiange 5% of the central plate 59. The central plate 50 carries a fixed block 5'! which forms a socket to receive the breech head. As indicated above, the breech head is locked by means of sliding bolts ail and 48a, these bolts being shown in contact with the head in Figure 10 and being shown out of contact with the head in Figure 11. In the locked position, the bolts 46 and Gila and the socket 5! enclose the adjacent portions of the breech head, and when these bolts are withdrawn in the direction of the arrows in Figure 8 to the position of Figure 11, the breech head can be removed.

The bolts 4E and Mia are maintained in locking position by the lever ll which is in'the form of a stirrup having the ends thereof pivoted to the bolt MI. The closed end of the lever til is adapted to engage a shoulder 58 on the bolt 58a when the bolts are in a position for locking the breech head. The lever ll is held in locked position by a spring catch 59 engaging a recess fill in the bolt Ma. A handle Si is provided on the bolt 40a to enable the bolt to be properly positioned with respect to the breech head. There is provided a similar handle portion on the lever 4|. In order to release the breech head, the lever 4| is elevated and forced to the left so that the bolt 40 is released. Similarly, the handle 6E may be grasped and forced to the right to release the bolt 46a. The outer plates 54 of the platform are detachable and a suitable form of bolting device may be employed for locking these plates together.

It will be evident that the invention has been breech, an axle, carriage wheels mounted on said axle, a cradle adapted to slide along said axle, a carriage frame to support said barrel and adapted to slide longitudinally on said cradle perpendicularly to said axle, and a shock absorber device articulated on said platform and on said carriage frame for absorbing thereaction of the recoil on the carriage frame at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform when in firing position.

- 2. A piece of ordnance comprising a barrel, a .breech at the rear end of said barrel, a head on said breech, a platform to be laid on the ground, saidplatform having a recess to accommodate the breech head, a wheeled carriage for supporting the front part of the barrel, said Wheeled carriage comprising a carriage frame, and an elastic connection device between saidplatform and said wheeled carriage for absorbing the reaction of the recoil on the wheeled carriage at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform When'in firing position,

said connection device having a head adapted to be supported in the platform recess accommodating the breechhead.

3. A piece of ordnance comprising a barrel, a breech at the rear end of said barrel, a head on said breech, a platform to be laid on the ground, said platform having a recess to accommodate the breech head, a wheeled carriage for supporting the front part of the barrel, said wheeled carriage comprising a carriage frame, an elastic connection device between said platform and said wheeled carriage for absorbing the reaction of the recoil on the wheeled carriage at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform when in firing position, said connection having a head adapted to be supported in the platform recess accommodating the breech head and locking means to lock said breech head in the recess.

4, A piece of ordnance comprising a barrel, a breech at the rear end of said barrel, a head on said breech, a platform to be laid on the ground, said platform having a recess to accommodate the breech head, a wheeled carriage for supporting the front part of the barrel, said wheeled carriage comprising a carriage frame, an elastic connection device between said platform and said wheeled carriage for absorbing the reaction of the recoil on the wheeled carriage at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform when in firing position, said connection device having a head adapted to be supported in the platform recess accommodating the breech head and locking means to lock said breech head and the head of the elastic wheeled carriage for absorbing the reaction of the recoil n the wheeled carriage at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform when in firing position, and locking means to lock said breech and said elastic connection device on the platform.

6. A piece of ordnance comprising a barrel, a breech at the rear end of said barrel, a platform to be laid on the ground for supporting said breech, a wheeled carriage for supporting the front part of the barrel, said wheeled carriage comprising a carriage frame, an elastic connection device between said platform and said wheeled carriage for absorbing the reaction of the recoil on the wheeled carriage at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform when in firingposition, and locking means to lock together and to the platform said breechand said elastic connection device.

7. A piece of ordnance comprising a barrel, a

breech at the rear end of said barrel, a head on said breech, a platform to be laid on the ground, said platform having a substantially spherical recess to accommodate the breech head, a wheeled carriage for supporting the front part of the barrel, said wheeled carriage comprising a carriage frame, an elastic connection device-between said platform and said wheeled carriage for absorbing the reactionof the recoil on the wheeled carriage at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform when in firing position, said connection device having a head adapted to be supported in the platform recess accommodating the breech head, the heads of the breech and of the elastic connection device being shaped in such a way as to constitute when assembled a substantially complete sphere and locking means to lock said sphere in said recess.

8. A piece of ordnance comprising a barrel, a breech at the rear end of said barrel, a head on said breech, a platform to be laid on the ground, said platform having a recess to accommodate the breech head, a wheeled carriage for supporting the front part of the barrel, said wheeled carriage comprising a carriage'fram-e, an elastic connection device between said platform and said wheeled carriage for absorbing the reaction of the recoil on the wheeled carriage at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform when in firing position, said connection device having a head adapted to be supported in the platform recess accommodating the breech head, a detachable pin connecting thehead of the breech on to the head of the elastic connection device and locking means to lock the head of the breech in the recess.

9. A piece of ordnance comprising a barrel, a breech at the rear end of said barrel, a platform to be laid on the ground for supporting said breech, a universal connection between the breech and the platform, an axle, carriage wheels mounted on said axle, a cradle adapted to slide along said axle, a carriage frame to support said barrel and adapted to slide on said cradle perpendicularly to said axle, an elevating mechanism for said barrel including gear quadrants pivoted on trunnions on the carriage frame, a sleeve adapted to slide along the barrel and articulated on said quadrants, and a shock absorber device articulated on said platform and on said carriage frame for absorbing the reaction of the recoil on the carriage frame at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform.

10. Apiece of ordnance comprising a barrel, a breech at the rear end of said barrel, a head on said breech, a platform to be laid on the ground, said platform having a substantially spherical recess to accommodate the breech head, a wheeled carriage for supporting the front part of the barrel, said wheeled carriage comprising a carriage frame, an elastic connection device between said platform and said carriage for absorbing the reaction of the recoil on the wheeled carriage at firing and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform when in firing position, said connection device having a head formed with two spherical caps, the head of the breech, corresponding, in respect of height, to the interval separating said spherical caps, a detachable joint between the heads of the breech and 0f the said elastic connection device, both heads constituting when assembled a complete sphere and locking means to lock said sphere in said recess.

11. A piece of ordnance comprising a barrel, a breech at the rear end of said barrel, a platform to be laid on the ground for supporting said breech, a wheeled carriage for supporting the front part of said barrel, said wheeled carriage comprising a carriage frame and a shock absorber between said platform and said wheeled carriage for absorbing the reaction of the recoil on the wheeled carriage at firing, and for supporting the rearward part of the carriage frame on the platform when in firing position, said shock absorber being articulated on the gun carriage so as to oscillate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the firing plane, a piston rod in said shock absorber, a roller on said piston rod adapted to engage the gun carriage when the platform recoils, and resilient means for pushing said piston rod inside of said shock absorber.

EDGAR WILLIAM BRANDT. 

